Laura Ingle

Key scripture- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2).

Did you know that the in order for a plant that bears fruit to grow and produce a lot of good fruit it must be pruned.

A good example of this is a tomato plant. Every winter the cold weather and heavy breeze kill more than half of the vines and leaves and if you don’t remove the dead stuff from the vine, it will spread and kill the whole plant. The part that is wilted must be pruned to save the rest of the plant. After it is pruned, the plant grows bigger, stronger, and bears more tomatoes than before. The tomatoes don’t just multiply, but they are much more pleasing in their flavor.

We are the same way. We must allow God to prune the wilted friends, habits, thoughts, sin, and possessions out of our lives. By allowing this to happen, we will grow stronger and bear more fruit for the Kingdom of God. We will not only add to the Kingdom in quantity, but also in quality. The fruit we bear will then be much more pleasing to God.

That is why Jesus said in the Key scripture that He is the true vine, we are the branch, and His Father is the true vine dresser, who prunes His children. The richest, fullest, most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation, which is how we are pruned.

We have no right to think God will use us until He cuts away whatever may hinder our growth. Therefore, what we see as tragedies are really blessings in disguise, and the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace toward us.

Has the dearest in life been torn from you? Have all your dreams faded? Have you lost your job, your health? Remember that if you could see these problems from the standpoint of God’s wisdom and of eternity, you would be able to dry your eyes and praise the Lord for all of these. God will not withhold any good thing “from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Even in your painful situation, you can trust Him to do what is best for you.

If you are in a season of your life where you are being pruned, ask God to show you if there is any part of your life where you are not abiding in His Word, where you are not obeying and following His commandments. Jesus told us,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:5-8, 10).

Like David did, ask God to search your heart of any offense. David wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Don’t resist, instead let God prune you and remove anything in you that is unusable so that you can bear more flavorful fruit for His Kingdom.

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
(Job 23:10).

Pray this – My Precious Heavenly Father, You are the vine and I am the branch. I want Your Words to abide in me so that I obey and follow them in every aspect of my life. Forgive me for picking and choosing what areas of my life that I want to give to You and what I want to keep. That is not right. You want 100% of me. You do not want me to hold back anything. I am all Yours Father, I give it all to You. I want to bear much fruit for You so that You are glorified, and when my life is over, I will hear, Jesus, my Lord and Savior say to me, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Father, I know that You discipline those that You love in order to make us more like Jesus. Give me the strength to remain steadfast under my trials and tribulations so that I receive the Crown of life. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12). In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.